3. The Great Movie Ride

Image: DisneyWhile Star Tours championed one film (well, three films), the anchor attraction at Disney-MGM Studios highlighted dozens of them. From day one, this ride differentiated itself for movie lovers as something special.

During the earliest days of Hollywood Studios, the park suffered from a paucity of attractions. From a certain perspective, The Great Movie Ride stood apart as the only true ride. And it held the mantle until the end of its run in 2017. Many of us miss it to this day and hold out hope that it will return in some form.

What was so special about The Great Movie Ride? Guests rode in a vehicle similar to the one in Universe of Energy. It seemed like a movie theater section of chairs right up until it started moving. Then, these chairs transported guests through the history of Hollywood, showing memorable set pieces and art from classic movies. A narrator would describe what made each of them so unforgettable.

Without any extras, that ride would have qualified as great. However, Imagineers weren’t content with that idea. Instead, they added live acting elements.

At one point, guests would come into contact with a classic movie villain. This person would hijack the ride and provide entirely different commentary about the wonders they would behold. These wisecracks were a perfect combination of awed and fearful.

Finally, a surprising turn of events would lead to the triumphant return of the original narrator. It added a level of freshness to the attraction that cast members sustained for decades. The Great Movie Ride won with theming.

2. Spaceship Earth

Image: DisneyI should acknowledge that Spaceship Earth is my favorite Disney theme park attraction ever. However, I don’t have it ranked as number one for an important reason.

I didn’t factor ride buildings into the conversation for best attraction. Otherwise, the Imagination! pavilion ride would have scored higher, too. I’m merely judging Spaceship Earth based on the quality of the attraction itself. And that’s still pretty great.

Even during its earliest days, Spaceship Earth’s ride mechanic stood out as a technological marvel. Guests would board quasi-futuristic vehicles that carried guests up into the gigantic building, just like World of Motion. During the course of the ride, people would witness various crucial moments in civilization.

While everyone learned about history, they were distracted away from the majestic accomplishment of Spaceship Earth. Your ride path takes you along the interior of a massive circle, an impossible feat that only an Imagineer could achieve. Along the way, you’re treated to a Disney-worthy story filled with ingenious thematic details like a medieval monk taking a nap on the job.

Spaceship Earth is so phenomenal that it’s an Imagineering triumph even when we don’t factor in the building’s exterior!

1. Splash Mountain

Image: DisneyDespite all of the wonders at Epcot, the best attraction Imagineers created during the 1980s is one that debuted at Disneyland in July of 1989. Splash Mountain is one of the seminal mountain rides at Disney theme parks, and it's also the greatest log flume attraction ever built. Simply stated, it's perfect.

Splash Mountain recounts the story of Song of the South, a problematically dated Disney movie from 1946. Whereas the social commentary in that film is regrettable, the attraction is an effervescent exercise in happiness. The various set pieces are lush and detailed, and the music soundtrack will have you singing along throughout the journey.

Then, there’s the signature moment at the end of the attraction. It’s the time when you plunge several stories straight down, causing your log flume to splash water high into the air.

Usually, most of this splashed water lands on you. It’s one of the most euphoric things possible at a theme park. Somehow, Disney elongates the pleasure by adding a ripping rendition of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah at the end.

From start to finish, Splash Mountain is a master class in ride design. Even during a highly competitive decade, it's the best of the 1980s.